Chapters Dr. Light's Days in Ponyville
Dusk Light looked over at the princess sitting in his office and smiled comfortingly. He hasn't seen her in a while but that was to be expected after all, she had a country to run.
"I'm not sure how to actually put this, but I'm afraid she will be alienated by her peers..." Princess Celestia said,
Celestia had been in talking of her student Twilight Sparkle, who recently ascended into princess-hood. While not a bad thing, she had a bad habit of catastrophizing when it came to her personal student.
"Princess," Dusk Light said, "It will be fine. Yes, in the beginning she will be shed away from but that is normal. Even her closest friends will stay away from her."
Celestia's brow furrowed and her mouth became a grim line.
"However, seeing as that was days ago they should be over that by now. Unless of course they aren't as close friends as you've suggested," Dusk Light finished.
Celestia sighed. "Your right, I'm just worried," Celestia said, "Not to mention she still has to take care of her daughter and she will still want to contact me with lessons and the like."
Dusk Light froze. Strike one. The princess didn't normally go over a similar subject more then once.
Celestia was lost in thought. "The way they have been treating Nyx, she might do something she would regret," The princess shook herself slightly, lowering the royal air she normally had and continued. "I cant just let her destroy half the town in a fit of rage. I understand their trepidation but Luna has taken those things away from Nyx; She is no longer Nightmare Moon."
Strike two, please princess don't... Dusk Light plastered a fake smile on his face, hoping that she wouldn't get to strike three...
"And after that problem last winter between Nyx and Shining Armor, Twilight has been more protective then usual," The princess was oblivious to Dusk Light's actions being the first time she could get anything off her chest in a very long time. "I want her to be settled a little more in her body before I give any royal... Are you alright my little pony?" Celestia asked in a worried tone.
"That was strike three princess" Dusk Light stood up visibly shaken. "I'm going to ask you if I may meet you in you chambers later."
"I do not underst- " She was interrupted by a knocking at the door.
"What is it?" Dusk Light called in a controlled voice. He wasn't shocked so much as angry at the princess.
"We wished for entrance into your workplace."
There was only one voice Dusk Light knew that spoke in such a way, and he was more then happy to see her.
"Of course, please do come in princess Luna, you are always welcome here." He said as he opened the door with his magic.
Princess Luna walked in and stopped surprised as she saw her sister sitting there opposite Dusk Light.
"Is there something I had missed dear sister?" princess Luna asked in an even tone.
"She was just leaving. Now princess Celestia I will be at your chambers in about an hour, until then," He looked pointedly at the younger. "I will be discussing somethings with your sister."
As Celestia left the office she heard him saying, "Now what is you wished to talk about?"
About an hour later, in Celestia's privet chambers
"Now what is it you wished to speak to me about?" princess Celestia asked as she sipped at her tea.
Dusk Light and princess Luna sat across from her each with their own cup, Dusk Light had yet to have taken even one sip.
"I'm afraid you are getting to worked up and I just heard that you are, despite my order, not doing aroma therapy." Dusk Light was very angry and slightly near tears. "You gave me a second, even third chance at life. Not to mention I grew up in your orphanage."
Dusk Light looked over at princess Luna and nodded.
"We have decided to send Dr. Light to Ponyville in order to see if he can help curve your insecurities dear sister."
Princess Celestia looked thoughtful for a moment. She then stood up and went to one of the many desks she kept in this room. Opening one of the doors in the side of it she pulled out a scroll and other writing supplies. Sitting at the table again she started to write.
"You are correct in your assumptions. I do believe I shall have it arranged, after all, I know better then to get between the two of you and whatever plans you may have in store." Celestia chuckled lightly.
While Dusk Light was very surprised at her acceptance, princess Luna however looked nonplussed.
"Sister, We have but one request," princess Luna said. "We ask to be present whenever he sends a report, so that we be together in this."
Princess Celestia smiled at her sister and then turned to Dusk Light. "Very well," She said. "We shall send Dr. Light to Ponyville so he may help my student, Twilight Sparkle, adjust to her new self and help the community adjust to her. Thank you Dusk Light.
She lifted the scroll and with a burst of golden light it became ash and disappeared entirely. She turned a worm smile to her young friend.
"Anything I can do princess, anything at all." Dusk Light bowed low. And just perhaps help my old queen as well, don't worry, I'm on my way.
Dr. Light's Days in Ponyville
"Spike, are you sure the guest room is ready?" Twilight asked, running to and fro making the library presentable for her guest.
Spike sighed, "Yes Twilight, I did that hours ago. Now are you going to pick him up or leave him at the train station?"
Twilight had frantically been cleaning all day trying to make the place presentable. Nyx was out with the Crusaders and Twilight was in the middle of a study session when the letter from the Princess came.
"Would it kill her to have given us a heads up at least?" Spike grumped "Who could be this important anyway?"
"Spike!" Twilight scolded "Whoever this pony is, he is here because the princess sent him. So please for the love of Celestia, be courteous!"
"Yeah, yeah I know Twilight." He looked away and mumbled "So long as it’s not Discord again..."
"Did you say something Spike?" Twilight was right behind him.
"N-no Twilight! Didn’t say anything at all!"
"That’s better, now everything’s set. Hold down the fort ok Spike? Twilight asked as she hurried to the door.
Later, at Ponyville station
My dear student,
I am sending a personal friend of mine to Ponyville for a period of time; I hope that this does not inconvenience you in any way. Do not worry; he is fully aware of Nyx's situation. I would hope you to give him a place to stay, and make him feel welcome. He will be arriving on the 4:30 train from Canterlot, please be there when he arrives.
Signed, Princess Celestia
Twilight reread the short letter for a 12th time, trying in vain to figure out what the princess wanted.
The arrival of the train stopped her thought process so she silently stashed the letter in her bags and waited.
"Ah, so good to see you miss Sparkle." A light baritone voice sounded from behind her, startling her.
Twilight spun around to see a light brown stallion with a silver mane standing expectantly. "Ummm, hello?"
Chuckling, the stallion gave her a smile, "I trust princess Celestia's letter arrived safely?" He continued when he saw her nod, “My name is Dr. Light, a... Personal friend of the princess."
With that Twilight sat up a little more in control at the moment.
Dr. Light grinned, almost playfully. "So do I, so do I"
"Oh, and Dr?" Twilight started walking back home.
"Yes Miss Sparkle?"
"Twilight will do fine."
Later, Golden Oaks Library
"Hi Twilight, Nyx is in her room. Who is this?"
Spike was cooking dinner when Twilight and Dusk Light came through the library doors.
"Is something wrong?" Twilight was concerned, he was the Princess's personal friend and she had wanted to make a good impression.
"Not at all!" Dusk Light was in his personal haven, staying in a library for a few weeks? Dear Celestia! "I absolutely love books, so staying in a library is like a dream to me."
Twilight's ears perked at this information."Really? What do you read?"
"Oh, anything by Ann Canterfree or Mercedes Lucky. Oh and the Daring Do series, do you have any of them??" Dusk Light had become animated looking like a foal in Sugar Cube Corner.
"Yes," Twilight answered with a giggle. "We have all the Daring Do series including the newest one, 'Daring Do and the Midnight Stone' I'm sure you can-"
"Twilight!" Spike was standing there in his apron and a whisk in his hand looking cross.
"Oh, sorry Spike." Twilight looked a little embarrassed, "This is Dr. Light. He's the visitor the Princess sent and will be staying for awhile."
Spike looked at the stallion; he wasn’t much except the odd mane colors, almost as if it was made of real silver instead of hair.
Dusk Light was now happy and well rested, he slept on the train, was content to simply stand there in the middle of the library and just take in the multitude of books. That is until Spike called for dinner and a young black form started down the stairs.
The filly must have felt his eyes on her because she stopped and started backtracking up the stairs.
"Nyx? Dinners ready so please come down." Twilight noticed the filly and smiled a gentle smile. "It’s ok; this is Dr. Light a friend of Princess Celestia."
This revelation seemed to calm the filly and Nyx started back down the stairs keeping her eyes on the stranger in her home and coming to be next to Twilight.
Dusk Light smiled. It’s a wonderful sight to see my old queen standing next to her adoptive mother, and who else could say they've seen five alicorns in one day? This thought caused him to chuckle and remember what happened after his discussion with princesses Celestia and Luna.
Earlier, Canterlot Castle, Silver chambers
The walls shone a soft white glow and the sapphire mural on the ceiling set the tone wonderfully with the dark blue curtains that blocked most of the light from the windows.
Dusk Light was giving some last minute suggestions to princess Luna when a knocking at the doors caused them to break of the conversation.
"Princess Cadence wishes to enter my Princess!" The deep strong voice of one of the Day Lunar guards rang out from the other side.
Luna seemed pleasantly surprised at this knowledge. "Please do come within our chambers dear Cadence."
The great silver doors swung inwards, revealing a magenta alicorn with a crystal heart for a cutie mark.
While princess Luna want one for the louder colors unlike her sister, preferring to stay with blues, silvers, and blacks to the golds and whites, she loved theatrics and the great silver doors with murals of the night gales and aurora rose vines with a starry background was in Dusk light's opinion one of his favorites
"Why, what do we owe the pleasure of our favorite aunt?" Luna teased. Since Nyx was almost a sister to the princesses and with Twilight being the mother of the black alicorn the Sisters Royal would tease Cadence about her relationship to them.
"Please, Princess, there is no need to jest," princess Cadence said with a pained expression. "Cadence would be great."
Dusk Light barely heard this but couldn’t help but chuckle at princess Luna's words, but Cadence heard this and turned to him.
"Oh Dusky! How are you holding up?" Dusk Light cringed at the name he hadn’t heard in years, "I’m fine Miss Cadence, how are you? In fact what are you doing here?"
Cadence chuckled nervously. "Hmmm... Princess? The thing is that Shining Armor and I were... Hoping that we could umm...”
Princess Luna's face lit up "Of course! we're sorry, Dusky, but please finish up here. Come Cadence! We must see our Sister at once!"
[centerPresent Time, Golden Oaks Library]"This is great! I didn’t know you could bake this good." That was Nyx, during dinner which included soup and home baked bread courtesy of Spike.
"That was Pinkie Pie, she taught me how earlier so I decided to try it tonight, Spike answered happy it turned out good.
"Alright Nyx, go up to bed. I'll be up with you in a few minutes." Twilight had turned to her daughter and was addressing her.
"Alright Twilight, night Spike, night Dr. Light."
"Night Nyx."
"Goodnight little one."
After Nyx went up stairs Twilight and Spike cleared the table. As Spike dealt with the dishes Twilight and Dusk Light went to the guest rooms and got things ready.
"Thank you Twilight, I'm happy you are allowing me inside your home," Dusk Light thanked her. "Do you have anything planed for tomorrow?"
Twilight looked confused as she answered, “Not really, tomorrow is reshealving day so other then taking or picking Nyx up from school I'll be here all day."
Dusk Light smiled at that, "I'm glad to hear that, if you don’t mind I think I'll help you."
"Sure, goodnight Dr."
"Goodnight Twilight."
The door shut and his smile melted away and a dark expression covered his face. Going to the desk he got out a scroll and ink from his bags. His dark magic floating the quill over to him he began to write...
Dear Princesses,
Later as he lay in his bed, Dusk Light was thinking.
Dr. Light's Days in Ponyville
Dusk Light woke up to the sounds of movement and the smell of breakfast. Going to the small mirror he smiled.
“Step one.”
Dusk Light made his way out of the room and to the kitchen pausing at the doorway. Twilight was fusing over Nyx.
“Is something wrong Twilight?” He went to an empty spot at the table.
Nyx responded with a “No!” at the same time as Twilight responded with a terse “School.”
Dusk Light looked over at the small family. Spike was cooking the eggs, Nyx was blushing furiously and Twilight had sat down looking at her daughter with an expression of slight disappointment.
“Oh? Is that so…” Dusk Light smiled as spike, shaking his head, placed a plate of food in front of him. “Thank you spike, it looks good.”
“No problem,” Spike leaned in close and whispered “Nyx went off to Zecora’s yesterday and didn’t tell Twilight.”
Comprehension dawned on Dusk Light. Looking out the window at the sun, he was thinking of what he could learn the purple unicorn.
He turned to the two alicorns and smiled. “Should someone be off to school?”
Twilight snapped out of her worried thoughts and looked out the window.
“Oh my gosh, you’re going to be late!”
After a flurry of activity and a scrambling of hooves they bolted out the door.
“Hey, you want to help?” Spike asked.
Looking at the mess of the kitchen he laughed. “Of course, but let me finish my breakfast.”
Later
Twilight walked back in and sighed. Why did she go into the forest? After the last time I was so- She stopped in shock.
“Wh-wha-HUH?” Twilight sputtered, looking at what had once been her library.
“Oh hello Twilight, I hope you don’t mind I just wanted to do something really fast.”
The floors and shelves, even the ceiling, the entire inside of the Golden Oaks Library was covered in runes and glyphs, symbols of all kinds. She sat down, hard, to try and figure out what had happened. She was only gone an hour tops, and there were hundreds if not thousands!
Noticing her expression of disbelief Dr. Light quickly did something with his hooves and all at once every symbol and glyph disappeared as if there was never any to begin with.
“Sorry about that, a small project I used to work on when I went to Celestia’s school. “ Dr. Light said in way of explanation.
Shaking her head she trotted to the middle of the room. What was that? I’m the element of magic and I’ve never came across half of those! I- wait did he say Celestia’s school?
“You went to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns?” Twilight was deeply interested, finally, a chance to find out a little about him.
“Why yes, or rather no. You see I had a problem with my magic when I was younger, in fact I can still do almost no magic at all” was his replay. A sad expression briefly crossed his face but disappeared quickly.
“Why don’t you tell me about yourself?” The question came as a surprise; even if she didn’t know why this stallion was staying in Ponyville he was a friend of the princess. I guess I can trust him. She thought.
“Well where to begin? Oh but do you mind if I start reshelving?” At the shake of his head Twilight’s horn started to glow and all the books floated to the floor as gently as possible.
“Well I didn’t really go to the school. Even though I was enrolled I almost never took classes. Most of the time I would be with Celestia or at the library, I advanced quickly and it wasn’t until I was taking classes colts and fillies twice my age that I started to have any difficulty. “
Twilight floated each book and shelved them according to where she thought each book should go. Many people might stay at the library to read and put them back in the wrong places.
“That’s amazing” Dr. Light said. “What about here? I can see that you’ve made this place home and I’m sure your friends had something to do with that” he chuckled.
Twilight smiled remembering. “Yes, the first one I met was Pinkie Pie, but the one that I actually introduced myself to would be Applejack…”
-Later-
Dusk Light was very surprised how easy it was to have the mare talk about her friends, hoping it would be just as easy for him to get them to open up.
“And of course that’s when Nyx came into my life.”
Dusk Light looked over at her and said in a gentle tone “You are doing a wonderful job raising her.”
Twilight looked up surprised at his comforting and supporting tone. She should stop being surprised at my oddities.
They had been talking for so long all of the books had been put away and now they were enjoying tea. Well Spike and Twilight were enjoying tea but she also took this time to press him for his story.
“So what part of Canterlot did you grow up in?”
Dusk Light smiled. “Ah it doesn’t matter does it? Oh when do you pick up Nyx?”
Twilight checked the time. “Soon, so I expect some answers mister” she chuckled as she got up.
It was only after she left that he answered. “Perhaps you will.”
Spike looked up a very shocked look on his face. “Did you…” The deep, almost venomous voice cut into the baby dragon like a razor.
Dusk Light looked over at him “Is something wrong?”
“No, I guess I was just imagining things.” He got up and started clearing the table. It wasn’t until Dusk Light was out of the kitchen the purple dragon let his thoughts settle.
“Did that voice come from… nah I was just imagining it.”
On the way to the school
“Hmmm, I wonder what he’s doing here. The Princess trusts him maybe I should send him to Applejack; she might be able to tell what he’s hiding. Something about him is nag-“
“Hi!” A pink wall filled her vision.
“Ack! Pinkie, what are you doing?”
“What am I doing?!” Pinkie Pie shouted. After a moment she put on a confused expression. “What am I doing? Oh yeah! I was going to the school! The Cutie Mark Crusaders are gonna make a Pinkie Promise so I have to remind them that the fastest way to lose a friend FOREVER is to break a friends trust.”
Twilight chuckles “Oh really? I can’t miss that.”
“You know me so well you’re not even going to ask how I knowwhichisbecauseitmakeaplottwistinthe-“
“Pinkie, we’re here.” Twilight said with a smile.
Huh, what was I thinking about before Pinkie…? “Dr. Light!”
“Dr. Light? Who’s that? Wait… There’s a new pony in Ponyville and I didn’t know?!”
“He got there just yesterday. Oh there’s the school! Anyway as I was saying- Pinkie?”
As the school came into view Pinkie seemed to vanish. Twilight chuckled at her friends antics.
At the front of the school five fillies were playing, chasing each other around.
“Hey girls! Over here!” Twilight called out.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders came running over when they saw her, Nyx hanging back a little. But before Twilight could ask what the matter was, Applejack came up from down the road.
“Haya girls, what are y’all up to?”
Applebloom ran to her older sister who in turn gave her a smile.
“We were thinking of what crusadin to do next!”
Scootaloo piped in with “Yeah! We are gonna go hang at the club house, Twist you gonna bring snacks?”
With that all the ponies turned to the little filly, but she shied away slightly.
It looked like all she wanted to do was melt into a black puddle. Twilight’s concern grew as she used her magic to lift Nyx onto her back, Nyx meanwhile did not resist.
“I think I’m going to take her home for now. Later if she’s feeling better she can.” Twilight said with worry etched in her face.
Before heading away she turned to her friend.
“Applejack, I was wondering if I could ask you a favor.”
“Shoot sugar cube, you know I’d help ya if you needed something.”
Twilight smiled. “I know Applejack, the Princess sent a friend of hers here yesterday, I’m not sure if I should trust him though. So I was hoping if you could?”
She didn’t need to finish the question as an unspoken agreement between friends if a new pony came to town they weren’t sure they could trust they would each do a part to see what they could about them. They implemented after Suncloak, the resident changling, came there.
“Alrighty then, tomorrow sound good?”
“That sounds great, thanks Applejack.”
“No need to thank me Twi, I’ll tell the others.”
They both nodded but before they could move their separate ways the four other fillies bounded up looking at Nyx with concern. Nyx looked up at her friends.
“Don’t worry Nyx, no matter what we promise we’re gonna do what we can to protect you, right Crusaders?”
Scootaloo’s comment made Twilight’s heart beat faster. Nyx was in danger?!
Nyx sniffed and said “Pinkie Promise?”
Three of the four fillies, Twist was creeped out by Pinkie promises, recited the rhyme.
“I don’t get it…” Twist mumbled.
Sweetie Bell said “Breaking a Pinkie Promise is like the quickest way to lose a friends trust!”
“Yeah!” Scootaloo piped in, “If you break a friends trust it’s to fastest way to lose a friend!”
“FOREVER” Pinkie Pie said popping out of Applejack saddlebags.
“Ack!” Was the consensus of all the ponies. Nyx giggled a little.
Pinkie sank back into the bag but when Applejack opened it the bag was empty except some apple cores and a few bits.
Twilight sighed and started home.
Later at the library
Dusk Light had just finished tuning his Magana, a green circle made of crystal that hung from his neck on a string, when Twilight entered the main area for the library. Noticing her expression and Nyx’s shivers he became very concerned.
Dusk Light activated the Magana, making it glow a slight grey and green as Twilight made her way upstairs.
“Nyx, talk to me” Twilight’s voice was gentle as she puts the filly down.
The Magana was allowing Dusk Light to create a memory of what happens to someone else, as if he was really there himself.
Nyx shuffled her hooves.
“Nyx…”
“I… can we do something tonight mom?” Her voice was small and cracking.
Twilight scooped her up and hugged her tight. “Sweetie, of course we can. And we don’t have to talk if you’re not ready ok?”
“Ok.”
Nyx nuzzled her mother, a tear leaking out of her eye.
“I was planning on watching the stars tonight; Princess Luna has a meteor shower planned.”
A small giggle escapes the black alicorns. “I know how much you love astronomy.
Dusk Light deactivates the Magana, his features serene.
He had spent most of his time grilling Spike on details about Twilight getting what he could about her.
“I’m going to bed; I’ve had a long day.”
“Ok, goodnight Dr.”
“Goodnight Spike, tell the others goodnight for me too.”
“You got it”
In Dusk Light’s room.
His face was half covered in shadow, the rest in a grim darkness. Pulling out a quill and scroll we started his report.
Dear Princesses,
This is my first report so I hope this finds you well.
Subject: Twilight Sparkle, Librarian and Alicorn.
Notes: She is as you know the element of magic. She is Very OCD but does not become manic unless you are involved (Celestia). She will protect her friends to the death, and her daughter beyond. Has a strong Memory and reading skills as well as an insatiable curiosity in magic or science. She isn’t shy but also is not overbearing. As an added note her organizational skills are suburb. Calm, rational and even tempered she has the utmost faith in her friends. She has shown great empathy and patience for all she knows. She also takes a great joy in astronomy and is very perceptive. A: She is doing very well. She doesn’t seem to use her wings very often but otherwise she seems fine. I still need to know how her friends react to her and think of her but for now this is my report.
Sincerely
Dr. Dusk Light
PS. Luna, make sure Celestia does her aroma therapy.
He thought long and hard about his purpose.Maybe it’s not too late; I feel it still resides in her. Step two, complete.
